European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - November 30, 1992, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Let Yockir fingers do the shopping  Fott Kkt in a a there s a wealth of shopping at your fingertips with these  Frank Schnaue United press International As Many americans stationed overseas Are Well aware flipping through Cata logs is a Good Way to go Christmas chopping. With More than 10,000  Cata logs Selling everything from Christmas crackers to Golden electric trams loaded with precious gems it is difficult to imagine a mall shopping District a or any Post Exchange a blocking a larger variety of wares. When it comes to stuffing this year s Christmas stockings experts say americans Are expected to spend an average $442 on Holiday gifts up slightly irom last year despite the country s weak economic conditions. Last year alone one in two americans adults or More it an 00 million Consumers turned to Cata logs and other dm1 1 in a Lions of shopping to outfit their families Iii 1 is1 s. Yards and gardens Purchase educational toys und enquire the necessities Lor elegant Home i m m a taming. A cabling revenues reached $�?~18 8 billion in 1091, an  growth of nearly 8 9 percent per year from the $35 7 Pillion in sales in 1987,&Quot said Deborah i Intro a spokeswoman for the direct marketing association inc. A Tun to group. Quot More than half of the adult population or about 52 g percent ordered merchandise by phone or mail in 1991, spending an estimated $25 to $35 billion on Catalon purchases alone Quot she said a favorite among Catalon shoppers is i he wholesale by mail Catalon a How to Book for Consumers to shop try mail or Telephone and save 30 percent to 90 percent off list prices published by Harper perennial a division of Harper Colima publishers of new York the 611-Page Book a a need at $1 5, is a consumer guide to buying by mail to i a de Sigrid in guide shoppers to amazing bargains on a   of products from Anny surplus 10 designer t ish put , is of gits Lor men. Women kids and the 11. Me an Poar m Spiegel s 3-10-Page Holiday Catalon  temo a than 5 my in Consumers Hack m p i be Ieper Janet Koehn. Fashion do Lor Foi Down is Grove 111 had up Igei. Said Quot ladies m red will to the hit at to Hay pailhes Hus season but the Little Black dress also in him up m some sexy sparkly new versions i or Huu hopping for gilts Tor men and boys Spiegel Bis three his sports sports sports i he Catalon features 18 full pages of sports paraphernalia and spa Gei said so far the Best setters line Vintage baseball and Toet Ball learn jackets and Caps from the Cooperstown collection also scoring Points with Early shoppers at Spiegel Are team jerseys and to shirts. Quot shopping by mail and phone has really taken hold with the introduction of unique Catalon merchandise Quot said Chris Hemmeter founder of the Hemmeter collection in Gardena. Calif., a Catalon that bears his family name. Quot shoppers Don t have to pounce on what a left on the shelf or search aimlessly with the local department store herds to be assured of finding a gift with a special magnetism Quot he  Hemmeter collection offers decorative and fashion accessories of rare design from the farthest reaches of the Globe a a Bronze Frog from Thailand cast in the ancient lost Wax method priced at $85, to a distinctive hand Woven Kuba cloth worn by the men of Zaire for $275. A one of the most sought after Cata logs is the Neiman Marcus Christmas Book which this year depicts Santa giving his Reindeer a rest As he delivers gifts in a Gondola. Por grown ups Dallas based Neiman Marcus offers a luxurious version of the Choo Chyo an 18-Karat, yellow Gold mini cub gauge electric train filled with a precious cargo of emeralds sapphires rubies and diamonds. The train priced at $100,000, comes Complete with 41 feet of track a transformer and adapter for International current for the adventurous couple Neiman Marcus has a Vintage he racy Davidson motorcycle. Pack the Sidecar with provisions and a partner then climb on and kick the engine to life in Hus classic Bike restored to glory for the collector the enthusiast the traveler or the dreamer. All options from color to transmission Type Are chosen by the buyer of the 1939-1942 Harley priced from $28,000 to $35,000 but the most exclusive Catalon comes from the staff of the Robb report who assembled 22 extraordinary gifts that run the Gamut from the elegant to provocative from exotic to outrageous irom eminently functional to just Plain fun with prices ranging from $92.50 for collectible playing cards to $31. 5 million for a French chateau overlooking los Angeles the Robb report ultimate gift guides limited to the affluent. S the most outrageous Catalon however is from the anatomical Chart co. Of Skokie iii., offering shoppers a variety us Gitts based on human and animal Anatomy from a 1 Pound glob of fat that Sells for $16 95 to a Doggie Skeleton suit to dress up fido for $13 95 some people find Catalon shopping helps them keep within their budgets because they can make m a More leisurely fashion at Home but a word of caution when ordering through Cata logs be sure ask about Exchange and return Pew Les and be aware of delivery costs that can mount up suggestions for buying by the Book Catalon shopping is Good any the of the year. It May be too late to Start ordering Holiday gifts for this season but you should still be Able to pick up a few last minute items in time if you act quickly. Plus it s not too Early to Start thinking about those birthdays coming up Early next year. Following is a Sample of Catalon marketeers who will Send you a Catalon upon request. Callers from Europe can use 800 numbers with an at amp to calling card. A Neiman Marcus 1-800-825-8000. Fantasy gifts this year include authentic american Indian Tepee his or hers restored Vintage motorcycles or a tiny electric train made in 18-Karat Gold and studded with a cargo of emeralds sapphires rubies and diamonds. These make the Catalon fun to thumb through but your selections can be less daunting like a Cowboy or cowgirl sleeping bag for $120 or a Chip dip set featuring Blue tortillas Blackjack Salsa and Chile con quest for $28. The store says it will Send Federal express orders at Normal shipping rates a , Penney Catalon 1-800-222-6161, $4 redeemable at $5 off your first order. Anything in the store is bound to be in the Catalon. How about a new suit for Santa a fancy designer Santa outfit posts $300 and includes a wig and Beard less expensive versions Cost about $60. A Spiegel 1-800-345-4500, $8. Clothes and toys for the season. Or order an 18-Speed Mountain Bike for about $250. A Hemmeter 1-800-955-4142. Bib lots and decorative items with animal themes Many with an Eastern accent 9 can ordered from this specially marketer. A Small cloisonn6 Hippo from China is $35, a carved wooden Snail from Thailand is $55, and a Woven prayer Rug in a flayed Tiger design from Tibet is $975. A Hammacher Schlemmer 1-800-543-3366. Nostalgia items include a replica of the 1953 Western flyer bicycle coaster Brake and All for about $600, or a Wall clock made from a real discarded Hubcap from a 1950s-Era car Price varies but a Chevrolet Quot Bow tie Quot Hubcap clock costs about $100. A Lilian Vernon 804 430-5555. Offbeat but useful it rns include a Queen Anne style to Var table about $130, or brightly coloured storage boxes for Holiday ornaments about $9 ill bean 1-800-221-4221 besides any of the bean standbys there san l l. Bear a Plush animal dressed in a fleece Pullover and wearing a Fanny pack $39or a Maine Floral Wreath with dried Flowers and herbs $48a French Creek sheep amp Wool company 215 2865700, a favorite from this Catalon is the shearling baby Bunting $200. A selection of naturally water resistant Greas Wool sweaters includes a Cardigan $180 and a Crew neck with suede Elbow patches $145. A holy cow 1 -800-543-2697 How Many ways can you make a cow Oke a lot of them Are found in the Catalon of this Vermont firm founded by artist Woody Jackson. There Are cow motifs on soft goods clocks dishes and other novelties a Plush Santa cow costs $16, and the Montana Windsock is $62. A Unicof 1-800-553-1200 the United nations children s fund has its familiar collections of cards As Well As other items. An accordion Folio in a chinese Peony print is $15 a care 1-800-428-1257. International gift choices include a Beehive shaped Basket Type Birdhouse from Haiti for $25, a hand knit sweater with a Turtle design from Nepal for $185, or an african Turquoise necklace for $80. A Oxnam America 1-800-639-2141. A double Quot a Quot Man Yanga a rattle Type instrument from Kenya $34.50is one of the International items offered. The Catalon has a number of exotic textile items As Well. A the company of women. 1-800-937-1193. Women who work in the Garden or the shop Are usually frustrated in finding heavy duty work gloves that fit. All suede pigskin gloves with extra a Jurn and thumb patches made especially for women Are Here for about $20. Also featured Are Security items for the woman on the Road a a Remote control red car Security Light for about $33, or a car emergency kit for $35the associated press Page 16 a the stars and stripes monday. November 30 1992